Method and machine for attaching soles



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METHOD AND MACHINE FOR ATTACHING SOLES Filed Sept. 28, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Q R) M down into place.

Patented Sept. 4, 1945 METHOD AND MACHINE FOR ATTACHING SOLES Lewis J. Bazzoni, Swampscott, Mass, assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application September 28, 1942, Serial No. 459,927

76 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of shoemakleast serious of which is that of securing the marginal portions of the shank part to the overlasted upper in such a way that a perfect bond between the cemented parts is obtained and the possibility of the sole pulling away from the upper in the shank entirely avoided. This is due in part to the difliculty of so concentrating the pressureon these portions of the sole as to insure the formation of the desired bond, but more often is the result of placing the marginal portions of the sole in the shank-under tension, during the pressing of the shank part of the sole against the shoe bottom, that is, stretching the shank portions at their margins enough to bring them Such stretching is especially pronounced in ladies high-heeled shoes in which the lateral curvature in the shank, and accordingly the extra length of sole required at the margins, is considerable. The resulting tension, thus left in the sole, manifests itself later as a posi- I tive stress exerted on the cemented joint which frequently is strong enough to break the bond and always has a weakening effect thereon.

It is, therefore, an important object of this invention to provide an improved method of cement-attaching soles, or sole and heel units, in such a manner that not only is the formation of a satisfactory bond between the marginal portions of the shank of the sole and the overlasted upper assured, but also these portions of the sole are left entirely free from any residual tension which might later tend to pull the sole away at its sides'in the shank, or to weaken the bond. Moreover, the improved method contemplates the placing of the shank part of the sole under compression, the effect of which is to cause the marginal portions of this part of the sole to tend to move toward, and to hug, the shoe bottom. To

this end, and in accordance with the improved method, the heel end of the sole, or sole and heel unit, which is of the prefitted and possibly prefinished type, is first located on, and secured to, the heel end of the shoe'to which it is to be attached. The forepart of the sole is next located on the shoe bottom and attaching pressure applied thereto, it being understood that the shank and forepart of the sole and the shoe bottom are suitably coated with adhesive and otherwise prepared for sole attaching in the usual manner. With the sole, or sole and heel unit, secured at the heel end, the locating of its forepart on the forepart of the shoe bottom will cause the shank portion to bulge, or bow, outwardly from the shank along a curve which is opposite to the curve of the shank of the shoe bottom. While the sole is thus held against movement lengthwise of the shoe, beyond the ball line by the attaching pressure on its forepart and beyond the breast line by the securement of its heel end to the heel end of the shoe, pressure is applied to the outwardly bulged shank portion of the sole to move it in against the shoe bottom. Inasmuch as the straight-line distance from the breast line to the ball line is less than the length of the bulged shank portion of the sole or of the curved shank portion of the shOe bottom such inward movement results first in lengthwise compression of the sole in its shank portion and then a gradual relieving of this compression as the shank portion is brought fully in against the shoe bottom. With a sole out exactly to size, the length of its shank portion is the same as the length of the curved shank part of the shoe bottom, and this compression will be entirely relieved. There would be, however, no tension in the shank portion of the sole and hence no tendency of the sole to pull away. As a matter of fact, in order for the sole to move'away from the shoe in the shank portion it would have to fore shorten itself against its natural resistance to compression. Where the shank portion of the shoe has considerable lateral curvature the sole will be longer, from breastline to ball line, at its edges than in its midportion. Thus the mid-portion of a sole that is fitted to obtain complete relief of the lengthwise compression at its margins will remain under a slight compressive strain. This, however, is not detrimental, as the sole then has an inherent tendency to hug into the shoe bottom and this improved method contemplates such a cutting of the sole with this extra length in the shank portion. Moreover, it may at times be desirable in fitting soles to provide suflicient extra length to obtain this residual compression throughout the entire shank portion. In any case, the attachment of soles, or sole and heel units, in accordance with this improved method, not only avoids the necessity for stretching the sole to get it into the shank of the shoe, thus making all of the attaching pressure available for pressing the cemented surfaces of the sole and shoe bottom together and in this way improving the bond, but also leaves the shank portion in such a condition that it has no tendency to pull away.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a novel machine for cement-attaching soles to the bottoms of shoes on their lasts which is convenient and efficient to handle, flexible in its accommodation of different types of work, and dependable in its operation, and which is particularly adapted for attaching soles in accordance with the improved method just mentioned. To these ends, the novel machine has two alternately operable stations, one for right and the other for left shoes, each provided with pressure-applying means and a work support adapted to support a shoe on its last bottom-up in the machine and arranged automatically, during the operation of the machine, to move to and from a readily accessible loading position and a working position beneath its pressure-applying means. Novel devices for leveling the shoe on the support and for clamping the heel end of the sole, or sole unit, to the shoe, in located position thereon, and the shoe to the support are provided at each station, as features of the invention, and the latter devices are arranged for foot operation, thereby to free the operators hands for handling the shoe and sole, and are adapted to effect automatic withdrawal of the leveling devices to inoperative positions. Means are also provided for engaging the front or toe end of the shoe on its last after its back or heel end has been clamped on the support and, in accordance with a further feature of the invention these means are arranged automatically to move in against the toe end of the shoe and the instep portion of the last and become locked in holding position, during movement of the work support to working position, regardless of the size of the shoe or shape of its last.

The machine is also arranged, in accordance with a further feature of the invention, so as to accommodate a full run of sizes, of ladies shoes, for example, without the necessity for size adjustment, and is provided with readily adjustable means for taking care of variations in the height, shape and pitch of different heels, and also of last swing, as they are encountered. To facilitate positioning of the forepart of a sole, or sole unit, after its heel end has been clamped to the shoe, this machine, in accordance with another feature of this invention, is provided with means adapted to be brought into cooperative relationship with the shoe and sole for locating the latter on the former. These means are arranged to remain in engagement with the shoe and sole during at least the initial stage of the operation of the pressure member and in this way prevent possible displacement of the located forepart of the sole.

In attaching soles in accordance with the improved method above mentioned, it is imperative that the bulged shank be firmly anchored at each of its extremities. Accordingly, a still further feature of this invention resides in having the pressure-applying means in the form of separate members, one for the forepart and another for the shank. The forepart-pressing member, which is preferably in the nature of a resilient pad, is arranged to operate first, thus to press the forepart of the sole firmly against the shoe bottom. The heel end of the sole having been previously clamped to the heel end of the shoe, the subsequent action of the shank-pressing member cannot cause movement of the shank extremities as it compresses the shank and moves it in against the shoe bottom in the manner above explained. Preferably, the shank-pressing member comprises a blanket or web positioned beneath the forepart pad and extending beyond the pad over the shank of a shoe on the work support. Means associated with the extension are arranged to move down on each side of the shoe and thus to cause the web to exert heavy pressure on the shank of the sole. This web may be, and in the illustrated machine is, so reinforced as to concentrate its pressure at the margins of the shank portion of the sole. The forepart pad is likewise shaped to concentrate its pressure on the margin of the forepart of the sole and in the vicinity of the ball line, and, in accordance with another feature of the invention, is arranged automatically to level itself on the forepart of the shoe and to became locked in leveled position at the beginning of its pressure cycle. In leveling itself on the shoe the pad swings about an axis located forwardly of its ball-line-engaging portion so that this portion assumes different positions lengthwise of the shoe automatically to accommodate the pad to variations in the lengthwise position of the ball-line portions of shoes of-different sizes. Means are also provided for adjusting each pad in a lengthwise direction and for swinging each pad to accommodate lasts of different shapes. Other features of the invention include novel mechanism for operating the pressure-applying means and for starting and stopping the machine including a safety feature for preventing jamming of the machine, and a heel-end supporting member and associated devices for adapting the machine for use in attaching loose heel-seat-fitted soles instead of the assembled heel and sole units for which this machine is particularly intended.

These and other objects and features will become apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment of the I invention shown in the accompanying drawings,

in connection with which the improved method will be further explained and will be pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of a machine embodying the features of this invention with a portion of the base broken away to show operating parts contained therein;

Fig. 2 is a view of the machine in right-hand side elevation, with a portion of the base broken away;

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation of a part of a mechanism shown in Fig. 2 in a different operating position;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of one of the work supports of the machine and its associated parts;

Fig. 5 is a view in front elevation, at an enlarged scale and with certain parts in section, of the pressure-applying members associated with the left-hand station in positions assumed during early stages of their operation;

Fig. 6 is a view somewhat similar to that of Fig. 5 but with the parts shown in elevation and with the pressure-applying members in the positions assumed at the final stage in their operation;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a heel-supporting plate used in the machine;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of parts of an operating mechanism associated with one of the work supports;

Fig. 9 is a view, partly in section and looking in the direction of the arrows on the line IX-IX in Fig. 4, of one of the work supports and operating mechanism associated therewith;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a portion of the clutch and control mechanism of the machine, taken substantially on the line XX in Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 11 is a view in front elevation of a heel-end supporting and sole-locating device for the machine;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to that of Fig. 11 but showing only a portion of the heel-end-supporting and sole-locating device and illustrating the operation of locating a heel-seat-fitted outsole in the machine;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of a sole holder forming a part of the mechanism shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13, taken on line XIV-XIV of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is aview in elevation of the work support and operating mechanism shown in Fig. 9 as viewed from the left-hand side of that figure;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged plan view corresponding to that of Fig. 4 but showing the other shoe support and a modified form of forepart shoe and sole locating means and also of heel-clamping member, with part of the shoe support and operating mechanism associated therewith, shown in outline;

Fig. 1'7 is a front elevation of the work support shown in Fig. 16 and provided with the modified forepart shoe and sole locating means and heelend clamping member; and

'Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a modified form of heel-end supporting and sole-locating means similar to that of Fig. 11.

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the machine, the following detailed description thereof is divided into sections relating respectively to: the Work supports and their associated mechanism; the Pressure-applying mechanism; the Main drive and clutch-operating mechanism; Modifications; and Devices for use in attaching loose soles. A description of the improved method is included with that of the operation of the novel machine. It will, of course, be understood that the various elements and mechanisms associated directly with one of the twin stations is duplicated in the other and, therefore, the description of one set of these elements and mechanisms, which in one case may refer to one station, and in another case to the other station, will apply to the other set. The main drive mechanism is, as will appear below, common to both stations, so that but a single clutch-operating mechanism is required.

Work supports Referring to the drawings, and especially to Figs. 1 and 2, the illustrated machine comprises a base or hollow frame 20 which contains the operating instrumentalities for twin work supports 22, 22 mounted for swinging movement on the frame, and for twin pressure-applying heads 24, 24, slidably supported on ways 26, 26 carried by brackets 28, 28 secured to top portions of the frame. These ways and brackets are inclined a little from the perpendicular (see Fig. 1) so that the pressure heads move along paths which are angularly disposed with respect to the work supports.

The work supports each consist of a base 30 pivoted on a bracket 32, bolted to the front side of the machine base, and provided with a downwardly extending operating arm 34. Rods 36 (one appearing in Fig. 2) connect these arms to worksupport operating levers 38, 46 (Fig. 1) which are journaled on the base and moved by a control cam 42 to swing the work supports alternately to and from loading and working positions, as will be explained below. On the upper part of each base 36 there is mounted a slide 44 which is angularly adjustable thereon about a vertical axis provided by a stud 46 (Fig. 4), held in the base by set-screws 41 (Fig. 1). These slides project beyond the lefthand ends of their supporting bases and are held in adjusted position by means of clamping dogs 48, cooperating with clamping ribs 50, on the bases (Fig. 4). The slides 44 carry forepart-supporting pads, about to be described, and are positioned to one side or the other of the longitudinal centerline of their bases to accommodate either a right or a left shoe. In the illustrated machine the twin work supports are arranged so that the one on the right-hand side (Fig. 1) will take a right shoe while the one of the left will take a left shoe. Adjustment for the swing of the lasts is made by suitable angular movement of the slides 44.

Carried by each of the slides 44 is an abutment block 52, slidably mounted in ways 54 (Fig. 9), and provided with two supporting pads 56 and 58, formed of resilient material; the former being fixed with respect to the block 52 and adapted to engage the instep portion of the last, while the latter is movable vertically thereon and adapted to engage the toe end of the shoe. These abutment blocks are moved into operative shoe-supporting position, and their resilient supporting pads automatically brought against the shoe and its last to be supported, by the following mechanism. Referring to Figs. 1, 4, 9 and 15, in which the right-hand work support is shown in its loading position (see Fig. 1, right-hand station), the slide 44 is provided with inwardly and downwardly extending brackets 60, 62, in which a shaft 64 is journaled. An arm 66 is secured to one end of this shaft, adjacent to the bracket 62. and at its outer end carries a roller 68 positioned in an arcuate U-shaped groove ID of a block 12 secured to the frame 20. As the work support is swung inwardly toward operating position. the slide 44 moves on an arcuate path in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 9), and since the arm 66 is held fixed by block I2, the shaft 64 is turned in a clockwise direction, as viewed in this figure. Mounted loosely on the shaft 64, between brackets 60 and 62, is a bevel quadrant 14 meshing wlth a bevel gear 16 journaled on a stud 18 carried by a projecting part of the slide 44. '"be quadrant I4 is resiliently connected to the shaft 64 by means of a coil spring 82 (Fig. 15) secured to an adjusting collar 84, fixed to the shaft, and to a pin 86 on the hub of the quadrant. The shaft 64 is journaled in the bracket 6!) by means of a bushing 88 (Fig. 8), pinned to the shaft, and there is a lost-motion connection between the bevel quadrant and the bushing comprising a projection 90 on the bushing and a recess 92 in the hub of the quadrant. With this arrangement the quadrant is yieldingly driven by the shaft 64, as it turns in a clockwise direction. Fi'r. 9, and will be positively driven in the opposite direction during reverse rotation of the shaft, after the spring 82 has unwound sufiiciently to take u the lost motion. The tension of the spring 82 may be varied by means of the collar 84.

On the top of the bevel gear 16 is secured a spur quadrant 94 which extends through an elongated slot 96 in the slide 44 to engage one set of rack teeth 98 of a double rack I00, slidably but non-rotatably mounted in the block 52. The other set of rack teeth I02 meshes with the smaller of two integral pinions I04, I06, rotatably mounted in the block by means of a trunnion shaft I08. The pinion I06 meshes with teeth II on a vertical rack bar II 2 (Fig. slidably mounted in the block 52 and carrying at its upper end a. plate I I4 on which the resilient supporting pad 58 is secured. A spring II6 (Fig. 9) connected between the plate H4 and a pin on the block 52, tends to move the rack bar I I2 downwardly and, through the gear-and-rack train just described, to turn the shaft 64 in a counterclockwise direction through the spring 82. When the work support has been swung into operative position a sliding latch H8 engages ratchet teeth I on the rack bar II2 to hold the rack bar positively against such down-ward movement, and when the rack bar is so held, movement of the block 52, to the right, Fig. 15, is likewise resisted by the action of spring 82, as will be presently explained.

At its outer end the latch H8 is pivoted to an arm I22 which is splined on a shaft I24, journaled at one end in a bracket I26 carried by the abutment block 52 and at its opposite end in a bracket I 28 extending from the slide 44. An arm I30 is secured to this shaft adjacent to the bracket I28 and to this arm is secured a downwardly extending rod I32, which projects into a sleeve I34. A rod I36 is pinned to the opposite end of this sleeve and is slidably mounted in an extension I38, of the bracket 62, On which the sleeve I34 rests (Figs. 9 and 15). A compression spring I40 is interposed between the lower side of extension I38 and a collar I42 on the rod I36, and the rod I32 is slidably connected to the sleeve I34 by means of a pin I46 secured to the rod and extending through a slot I48 in the sleeve, a compression spring I44 being provided to hold the rod I32 and sleeve I34 in the extended position shown.

With this arrangement the latch H8 is withdrawn from looking engagement with the rack bar II2 by the action of the spring I40 when the work support is in loading position and the parts in the positions shown in Fig. 9. As the work support swings inwardly, the lower end of the rod I36 engages an abutment I49, mounted on a fixed part of the frame 20, and the shaft I24 is turned in a clockwise direction, Fig. 9; to swing the arm I22 and through the spring I44 to move the latch II8 into locking engagement with the rack bar. As will be presently explained, during a portion of this inward movement of the work support, the rack bar will be moving upwardly and the yielding connectionprovide by spring I44 permits the latch to yield away from the ratchet teeth I20 at this time.

As mentioned above, the locking of the rack bar I I2 in its upper position, with its toe pad 58 against the forepart of a shoe, by means of the latch pin H8, also holds the block *52 against movement to the right, as viewed in Fig. 15, on the slide 44. Movement of the rack I00 relative to the block 52 is prevented since the rack is locked to the rack bar II2 through the pinions I04, I06, and the rack bar H2 is held against downward movement by the latch I I8 and against upward movement by virtue of engagement with the shoe. Thus the spring 82, acting through the quadrant I4, bevel pinion I6, and the spur a slot in the head, and a. pin

quadrant 94, tends to move the block 52 to the left, and is effective to resist the relatively small horizontal component of the downward pressure on the pad 56.

The shoe on its last is placed on the work support and clamped in position at its heel end, by means to be presently described, with the work support in its loading position and with the block 52 fully retracted, i. e., moved to the right as in Fig. 15. As the work carrier is swung inwardly, by the action of cam 42, the block 52 is shifted to the left by the action of quadrant 94 on the rack, the sprin v I I6 now holding the toe pad 50 in its lowermost? position. When the instep pad 56, which is fixed to the block, has seated itself firmly on the instep portion of the last, see Figs. 5 and 6, the resistance of spring H6 is overcome and the rack I00 moves relatively to the block 52, thus projecting the toe pad 58 up into engagement with the toe of the shoe, in which position .is is eventually locked by the latch H8 in the manner just explained. Thus the two pads are automatically positioned against the toe portion of the shoe and the instep portion of the last firmly to support the forepart and shank portions of the shoe during the subsequent pressing operation. The instep pad 56 affords a point of support adjacent to the locality of the hinge of a hinged last and obviates winking of the last and consequent loss of pressure in the shank portion of the shoe. Breaking of the last at the hinge is also avoided by having a firm support for its instep portion. 7

Each work support is provided with a heel clamping member for engaging the cone of a last and also with heel-supporting and locating abutments. In the form shown in Figs. 1, 4, 6 and 11, the heel-clamping member comprises a resilient ad I 50 which is mounted on a recessed plate I52. This plate is supported for longitudinal movement, between lugs I58, on a head I54 that is secured to a post I56 by means of a set screw I60, see Figs. 4, 6 and 11. An ear I62 projects downwardly from an extension I 64 of the plate through I66 passing through the ear holds the plate in assembled position on the head. A tension spring I68 is connected to the pin and also to the head. This spring normally holds the plate in the position shown at the right-hand work support in Fig. 1. When a shoe is clamped against the supporting and locating abutments about to be described, the plate I52 assumes the position shown in Figs. 6 and 11, in which position matching teeth I10, In on the plate and head are brought into locking engagement against the action of a leaf spring I 69 interposed between the plate and the head, see Fig. 4. The plate I 52 has an upstanding finger I14 which the cone of the last engages to shift the plate to proper position when a shoe is being placed on the work support.

This finger also serves, when the plate I52 becomes lockedas above explained, to hold the shoe against endwise displacement during the application of pressure to its bottom. The heel-supporting and locating abutments about to be described, and shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 6, include a plate I against which the tread surface of the heel of a combined heel-and-sole unit is clamped by the pad I50. However, it is intended that this machine be also capable of attaching loose heel-seat fitted soles. A different kind of abutment is provided for the latter kind of work, and in Fig. 11 the pad I 50 is shown clamping the heel end of a shoe against such abutment, which will be described later and in connection with other devices for handling loose sole work.

Each post I56 is slidably but non-rotatably mounted. in its base 30 and extends downwardly therefrom, see Figs. 1, 2 and 3, in alinement with a plunger I82 which is guided for vertical movement in a guide 'bearing I84, carried by the frame, when the work support is in the loading position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. At its lower end the plunger is connected to two plates I86, I88 which in turn are secured to an exteriorly threaded cylindrical member I90. Extending downwardly through this cylindrical member is a headed rod I92 that is pinned at its lower end to a rod I94 having a forked lower extremity I98 which is guided on a stud I96 secured to the base of the machine. A heavy compression spring I93 surrounds the rod I92 and bears at one end on the rod I94 to hold the headed end of the firstmentioned rod against the cylindrical member I90. A sleeve I95 threaded on the cylindrical member provides for adjustment of the spring I93. A sleeve 200 surrounds the rod I94, and pivoted to this sleeve are two \bell-crank levers 202 and 204. At one end, each of these levers is connected to one of a pair of arms 206 which are journaled on the stud I96, to form therewith a toggle. At their opposite ends these levers are connected together by means of a pivot pin 2I0 on which is journaled a block carrying an upwardly extending rod 2I2. Pivoted between extensions on the plates I86, I88 is a rod 2I4 having a shoulder 2 I 6 and provided with an elongated bore 2 I8 in which the rod 2I2 is slidably received. A relatively light compression spring 2 I 9 is interposed between the shoulder 2I6 and a thrust washer which is supported on adjusting nuts 220 on the rod 2I2, and apin 222 and slot 224 are provided to limit relative separating movement of the rods 2I2 and 2I4 to the extent shown in Fig. 2.

The sleeve 200 has an opening at one side thereof, andadjacent to this opening a pawl 226 is pivoted. A tension spring 228 is arranged to urge the pawl in a direction to engage ratchet teeth 230 formed on the rod I94, but such engagement is prevented, when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2, by means of a pin 232 on the pawl which bears against a cam surface 234 formed on the lever 202 close to its pivot point on the sleeve. A guide roller 236, mounted on a supporting bar 238, bears against a flattened portion 240 to prevent turning of the sleeve 200 upon the rod I94 and also serves to brace these parts. Treadle rods 242 are connected to the arms 206 and to a treadle 246 which is mounted on the front of the machine in the usual manner, a spring 248 being provided to return the treadle to the position shown in Fig. 2. The lever 204 is extended at 250 and to this extension there is connected 9. push rod 252 which is guided at its upper end in a bearing 254 on the machine frame, Fig. 2. The function of this rod will presently appear.

The operation of these parts to lift the rod I82 and thereby to raise the post I56 and move the pad I50 toward the heel-locating and supporting plate I80 is as follows. Referring to Fig. 2, which shows the right-hand station of the machine in its loading position, a shoe on its last, having a combined sole-and-heel unit located on, and secured to, its heel end, is placed in the machine with its heel on the plate I80 and with the back cone of its last above the pad I50. After positioning the forepart of the shoe over the pads 56 and 58, the operator depresses the treadle 246 and partially straightens the toggle formed by the levers 202, 204 and the arms 206. During this initial toggle action the sleeve 200 slides freely on the rod I94, and as the levers 202, 204 are swung in a clockwise direction, Fig. 3, the rod 2I2 is quickly projected upwardly and, acting through the light spring 2I9, elevates the plunger I82 and the cylindrical member I90, the rod I94 being pulled up by virtue of the headed rod I82 which is connected thereto. This elevation of the plunger raises the post I56, which is in alinement therewith, see Fig. 2, and as the pad I50 approaches the cone of the last the finger I14 will strike the back of the cone of the last. Now, as the operator continues the treadle movement, lightly to clamp the heel end of the shoe between the pad I50 and the plate I80, the plate I52 will be moved rearwardly to proper position. With the parts in this position the shoe now may be inspected, and suitable adjustment of its position in the machine may be made. After this has been done the treadle is depressed further and soon the lever 202 assumes a position such that its cam surface 234 will have lowered the pawl 236 into engagement with the teeth 230, see Fig. 3, and when this happens continued movement of the treadle will straighten the toggle and move the sleeve 200 upwardly to produce a heavy clamping pressure through the action of the heavy spring I93. The quick action obtained through rod 2I2 ceases as the resistance met overcomes the spring 2I9 and, thereafter, slower movement of the rod I82 is obtained through sleeve 200 and under the action of the heavy spring I93. However, until this resistance is suffic e t to p s the spring 2I9 the rod I94 will, by virtue of the leverage effect on pin 2I0, move faster than the sleeve 200 so that the teeth 230 ride over the pawl 226.

As the clamping pressure is applied, the plate I52, which carries the pad I50, will be forced down against the leaf spring I69 to bring the teeth I10, I12 into locking engagement, as shown in Fig. 6. The post I56 is held in initial and final clamping positions by means of a spring-operated friction detent 256, having an eccentric 251 for engaging a flatted portion on the post, Figs. 1 and 2, while the remaining parts of the mechanism just described return to their original positions, as shown in Fig. 2, upon release of the treadle. The eccentric 251 is moved out of locking engagement with the post by means of a quick release handle 258. It will be understood that the machine is provided with two of the treadles 246 and that the mechanism just described for raising the post I56 of the right-hand work support is duplicated for operation by the second treadle to raise'the post I56 of the left-hand work support. To avoid confusion, this second operating mechanism has been omitted from Fig.- 1 where, if shown, it would be substantially in front of levers 38 and 120.

Each heel supporting plate I is carried above its companion heel-clamping pad I50 on a vertical arm 210, see Figs. 1 and 2. The plate I80 has a downwardly extending lip I8 I Figs. 5 and 6, and is secured to the lower end of a rack bar 212, which is slidably. mounted in a guide block 214, so that the plate can swing freely about a virtual transverse axis passing through its lower face. A heellocating abutment 216 for engaging the rear face of the heel of a shoe is similarly pivoted to a second rack bar 218 that is slidably mounted in a second guide block 200. The guide block 214 is pivoted on a stud 282 and the two rack bars are connected together for up-and-down equalizing movements by means of a pinion 215 which is also journaled on this stud. The block 280 has a flange 211 against which a shoulder 219 (Fig. 2) on the stud 282 is drawn by means of nuts 28! to clamp this block in adjusted position on the arm 210. An adjusting screw 284 which is threaded through the block 280 is arranged to bear against the block 214 for adjusting the lastmentioned block angularly with respect to the fixed block 280, to accommodate difierent shapes of heels, a spring 286 being provided for holding the block 214 in the position determined by the setting of the screw 284. A fixed segment plate 288, Fig. 2, interposed between the flange on the block 280 and the arm 210, and pinned to the latter, is provided with indicia cooperating with pointers 280, 292 on each of the guide blocks (Fig. 1) to show the setting of these parts. By loosening one of the nuts 21", the two blocks 214, 280 may be moved as a unit to a different angular position on the arm 210 to accommodate heels of different pitch.

This arm, at its lower end, is shaped to form a dovetail slide 294 (Fig. 4) which is mounted in a guideway 296 in the base 30. The slide and its guideway are inclined from the vertical at approximately the same angle as that of the heel of a shoe on the shoe support. Accordingly, vertical adjustment of the arm, which is effected by means of a handle 298, bevel gears 300 and 302, and a screw 304, also shifts the plate I80 and abutment 216 upwardly or downwardly. As will be presently explained, when a shoe is placed in the machine its ball line is located in a predetermined vertical position against a fixed gage. Now, by manipulating the handle 298, the plate 30 and abutment 216 are adjusted vertically to level the cone surface of the last with the pad I50.

After a shoe on its last has been clamped at its heel end, in the manner above explained, its forepart is positioned and the toe end of the combined sole and heel unit is located lengthwise, and alined widthwise, of the shoe by forepart shoe and sole locating means. In the form shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 6, this forepart shoe and sole-locating means comprises a flexible metallic band 3|0 which is adapted to be wrapped around the toe end of the lasted shoe. Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 4 and 6, this band is fixed at one end to a rod 3| 2 and is passed over a roller 3| 4 carried at the outer end of a second rod 3l6. At its other end the band is secured to a block 3l8 which is slidably mounted on the rod 316 and held against movement toward the end of this rod by the engagement of a spring-pressed pawl 320 with ratchet teeth 322. By shifting this block along the rod the effective length of the flexible band, between the ends of the two rods, may be varied.

The rods 3E2, 3l6 are adjustably mounted in sleeves 324, 326, by means of set screws 328, 330, and these sleeves are formed with extensions 332, 334 as shown in Figs. 4 and 6. The sleeves 324, 326 are journaled on trunnions 336, 338 mounted in the bifurcated upper ends 340, 342 of shafts 344, 346 which are supported in bearings 348, 350 formed on arms 352, 354, collars 356, 358 being provided to hold the shafts in place. These arms are fixed to a rockshaft 360 that is carried in bearings 362, 364 (Fig. 4) in the base and which has secured thereto a handle 366. The extensions 332, 334 are connected to a crossbar 310, Figs. 4 and 6, carried in ears 312, 314, on the base, by means of extensible links 316. Each link, see Fig. 6, comprises a sleeve 318 pinned to a rod 380 that is threaded to a block 382. This block is formed at its upper end 384 to provide part of a universal connection with a ball-headed stud 386 that is secured in extension 334, Fig. 4. A rod 388, slidably mounted in the sleeve 318, is threaded to a block 390 which is likewise universally connected at its lower end to a second ball-headed stud 392 secured to the crossbar 310. A pin 304, carried by the rod 388, projects through a slot in the sleeve: 318 and a tension spring 396 surrounding the sleeve is connected to this pin and to another pin 398 which passes through the upper end of the sleeve 318 and the rod 380. Stop nuts 400 limit telescoping movement of the rod 380 and the sleeve 318 in response to the spring 386 in one direction.

When the handle 366 is elevated the band 3) is lowered and retracted to the position shown in the right-hand station, Fig. 1, and the links 316 are contracted to the limit determined by the stop nuts 400. The shoe support is thus exposed and accessible for receiving a shoe. After a shoe on its last has been clamped against the heel-supporting and locating plate I80, by

means of the heel-end clamping pad I50, the operator depresses the handle 366. This swings the arms 352, 354 in a clockwise direction and, due to the linkage formed by these arms, the extensions 332, 334, links 316, and the ears 312, 314, the band 3| 0 is moved upwardly and to the right into engagement with the forepart of the shoe and its sole. A spring 402, connected to one of the arms 352 or 354 and to the extension of the rod carried by the other arm, tends to separate the outer ends of the rods so that the band is Wrapped closely around the toe end of the shoe as the spring 402 yields to permit the ends of the rods to come together. A pawl 404 carried by the handle 366 is arranged to engage ratchet teeth 406 formed on a segment plate 408 fixed to the base 30 and thus hold the band in fixed engagement with the shoe and sole. When the links 316 are contracted the band 3|0 will stand somewhat above the bottom of the shoe and thus serves to locate the sole, lengthwise and sidewise as it is moved down onto the shoe bottom by hand and to hold it in located posi tion. Since these links are extensible they permit the band 3|0 and arms 3I2 and M6 to move downwardly to the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6, when the pressure members move against the sole.

When each shoe support is in its loading position, as shown at the right-hand station of the machine in Fig. 1, an L-shaped gage 0, Figs. 1, 2 and 4, is positioned over the forepart of a shoe when the shoe is placed on the support. This gage is pivoted to the upper end of an arm 2 where it is held substantially at right angles to the arm by means of a spring 4(4 (Fig. 2). This arm is journaled on a rockshaft, secured to a vertical bracket 418 on the base 30, Fig. 1, and a spring 418 is connected between this bracket and the arm so as to tend to swing the arm in a clockwise direction, Fig. 2, against the action of a latch bar 420. The latch bar is pivoted to a downwardly extending portion of the arm 412 and is held in engagement with a latch pin 422 carried by an extension of the guide 12, by means of a spring 424, Figs. 2 and 4. This gage is used to locate the forepart of the shoe widthwise of the work supportand also as a fixed point about which the shoe is leveled during the loading operation.

When the machine is provided with the worksupport mechanism which has just been described it is intended that the shoes will reach the machine with sole and heel units already secured to their heel ends in final located position. The securing of the heel ends may be either permanent or temporary, and when temporary need only be adequate to hold the heels in place during the loading operation, permanent fastenings, such as a screw or nails, being applied after sole-attaching and removal of the shoe from its last. The bottom of the shoe and the upper surface of the sole, from the breast line forward, being suitably conditioned for cement-attaching and coated with adhesive, the shoe "8 on its last is taken by the operator and placed with its bottom against the gage M0, the sole now resting on top of this gage and with the tread surface of its heel H held up against the plate I80 with sufficient force to bring the abutment 216 down against the back of the heel. Adjustment of the relative positions of these latter two members, to accommodate the particular shape of the heel, may be necessary, and is obtained by turning the screw 284. Now the flat surface of the back cone of the last is leveled with the upper surface of the pad I50 by turning the crank 298 in the proper direction to swing the shoe about a point on its bottom adjacent to its ball lin and against which the gage 4I0 bears. During this adjustment, which accommodates the different slopes of the shank on shoes of different sizes and/or heel height, the forepart of the shoe bottom to the left of the gage 4I0 will be tipped up or swung down, the shoe turning on a transverse axis approximately at its ball line. While still holding the shoe with both hands, after making these adjustments, the operator swings i.

the shoe in a horizontal plane until the gage M is centered Widthwise on the shoe bottom, which brings the forepart of the shoe over the pads 56 and 58 when the slide 44 is properly positioned to accommodate the swing of that particular last, and then depresses the treadle to move the pad I50 into clamping engagement with the cone of the last. As previously explained, the finger I14 shifts the pad plate I52 back to proper position during the clamping action and the detent 256 locks the parts in clamped position. If he wishes to do so, the operator may stop depressing the treadle before full clamping pressure is obtained, and make a final check-up of the position of the shoe while it is still possible to swing it between the pad and plate I80. However, when the treadle is fully depressed, the shoe will be firmly gripped at its heel end between the two abutments I30 and 216 and the pad I50, and, moreover, will be securely held against movement in a lengthwise direction by the finger I14, abutment 216, and the lip I8I on the plate I80. These clamping members also serve to clamp the heel end of the sole and heel unit securely to the heel end of the shoe so that the bond between these parts, which may not be very strong when the securement is temporary, need not be relied upon to withstand the endwise thrust on the sole occasioned by the operation of the shank-pressing member on the shank.

Final movement of the treadle elevates the push rod 252 and lifts the latch bar 420 off of the pin 422 so that the gage M0 is swung back out of the way. The band 3"! is now brought up into engagement with the forepart of the shoe and the sole is moved against this band and down into located position on the shoe bottom. This placing of the forepart of the sol on the shoe bottom will cause the shank portion of the sole to bulge, or bow, away from the shank of the shoe, in the manner shown, in somewhat exaggerated manner, in Fig. 5. The cement used is preferably pressure responsive so that the forepart will lay flat on the bottom of the shoe.

The machine is now started, and the work support swings in from loading position to working position beneath its companion pressure head. During this inward movement of the work support the pads 56 and 58 automatically come in against the instep portion of the last and toe end of the shoe. Thus the shoe is firmly supported at three points against the downward thrust of pressure applied to its bottom, and is also held against lengthwise shifting on the support. It will also be observed that the work support is capable of handling shoes of different sizes and shapes, and also capable of accommodating different heel heights and heel pitches, the latter being done by swinging plate I and abutment 216, as a unit, about stud 282. Because of a novel feature of the forepart-pressing member no adjustment for size is required, as will be explained below, and aside from the vertical adjustment of the plate I80 and abutment 216 as a unit, to accommodate different heel heights, and of these elements relative to each other to accommodate different heel sizes, the parts can usually be set to handle the general run of shoes without further adjustment as the shoes are loaded.

Pressure-applying mechanism The pressure-applying mechanism at each station of this machine comprises a pressing head 24 composed of a resilient forepart pressing pad 430 and a flexible shank pressing web 432. Each pad 430 is mounted on a flat plate 433, Figs. 1, 5 and 6, that is arranged for rocking movement, about its longitudinal axis, on a second plate 434, by means of pins 436, 438 passing through ears 440, 442 on the plate 434 and a member 444 to which the plate 433 is secured by means of screws 445 which pass through elongated slots in the member 444. One of the ears 442 is in the form of a headed stud 446 which passes through the plate 434, and also through a block 448, where a cap screw 450 holds it in assembled position. This stud provides a pivot point about which the pad 430 may be swung to position it properly for right and left shoes, as well as to accommodate differently shaped lasts. A clamp screw 452 has a head 453 which abuts the plate 434 and also a threaded stem which passes up through an arcuate slot 4.54 in the block 448. A thumb nut 456 is provided for drawing the plate 434 against the under side of the block 448 by means of the clamp 452 to hold the pad in adjusted position.

The block 448 is pivoted on a pin 456 in one end of a link 460 which is hinged by means of a pin '462 to the head 24, see Figs. 1, 5 and 6. This link has abutment faces 464 and 466, one at each end thereof, and when the parts are in idle position, as in Fig. 5, a spring-pressed plunger 468 holds the abutment surface 464 against a stop surface 410 on the head, At its left-hand side, the block 448 carries a plate 412 having cut thereon an arcuate series of ratchet teeth 414, the center of which is the pin 458. Carried on an extension 416 of the head 24 is an arcuate guide 411, Figs, 1 and 5, for receiving the end of the block 448,

and the plate 412, and in which is mounted a fixed tooth 418. This tooth is so arranged that with the parts in the position shown in Fig. the block 448 and pad 438 may freely swing on the pin 458 and about an axis substantially transverse to the shoe bottom. However, when the link 468 is turned about the pin 462, the pivot point provided by the pin 458 is shifted to the left sufliciently to bring one of the teeth 414 into engagement with the fixed tooth 418 whereupon the block 448 will become locked against swinging movement about the pivot pin 458, the parts now assuming the position shown in Fig. 1, see left-hand station. In this position of the parts the abutment face 466 rests against a surface 488 formed on a projecting portion 482 of the head 24, Fig. 6.

Each head 24 is supported on a slide 484, Figs. 1 and 5, which is mounted on one of the ways 26, by means of a bar 486 secured in bosses 488 and 498 on the slide. This bar passes freely through a bore 492 in the head so that the head can slide thereon, rotation of the head relativ to the slide being prevented by the engagement of flat surfaces on the head and the slide. When the slide 484 is elevated the head rests on the boss 498, as shown in the right-hand station of the machine in Fig. l and in Fig. 5. As the slide is lowered the head will follow until the pad 438 strikes the forepart of the shoe and levels itself thereon by swinging about the pivot pin 458, Upon continued downward movement of the slide, the head remains stationary, resting on the forepart of the shoe with the bar 486 sliding freely through the head, until the head becomes locked to the slide by means of engagement of a pawl 494, on the slide, with ratchet teeth 498 on the head. The head now moves down, together with the slide, to apply pressure to the shoe bottom under the action of a heavy spring, and during initial movement the block 448 becomes locked against swinging movement about the pin 458 by means of the tooth 418, as above explained. -The pawl 494 is carried by the slide and is held away from the teeth 496 by means of a tension spring 498. A

resiliently mounted striker bar 588, adjustably supported on a projection 582, Fig. 2, of the bracket 28, is arranged to contact a roller 584, on the pawl, at the appropriate time to effect looking of the head for movement with the slide. Each of the slides is reciprocated by means of connecting rods 586, Figs. 1 and 2, which are operated by mechanism to be described below. By adjusting the striker bar 588 the amount which the heavy spring is compressed during the joint movement of the slide and the head, and accordingly the degree of pressure applied by the pad, may be varied.

Each of the pads 438, see Figs. 2 and 5, is formed of rubber or other resilient material, and is hollowed out to present a thickened ridge 429. Thi ridge slopes away inwardly and is substantially U-shaped to bear on the marginal portions of the forepart of a sole. The size of the ridge is such that a full run of sizes may be accommodated as to width, the larger soles coming out to the outer edge of the rib, and a very small sole extending to, or nearly to, its inner edge. In either case, the thickened portion of the rib, or that of its inwardly sloping portion, will concentrate the pressure at the margin of the forepart of the sole. This sloping portion at the toe end of the pad also accommodates long and short soles.

The pad is also thickened between the ends of the U-shaped ridge. This thickened portion 41 likewise has a sloping inner wall and is adapted to apply pressure to the sole at, and just beyond, its ball line. This thickened portion is of sufficient width to accommodate a considerable variation in the lengthwise position of the ball line on shoes of different sizes. This ability is supplemented and enlarged to cover a full range of sizes by virtue of a longitudinal shifting of this end of the pad as it swings about the pin 458 to level itself on the sole. Referring to Fig. 5, it will be apparent that the thickened portion 41 will move to the left as the pad swings from the fullline position to the broken-line position where it is leveled on the shoe bottom. Inasmuch as the slope of the shank portion of a smaller shoe will be steeper than in a larger shoe, of the same heel height, the forepart of the smaller shoe will be inclined a greater amount to the left during the leveling of its heel seat and the cone surface of the last when the plate I88 is adjusted during the loading operation. Hence the pad will tip less when it levels itself on the shoe bottom and the thickened portion 43! will be shifted a lesser distance to the left than would be the case with a larger shoe, the forepart of which would be more nearly level. It has been found by experience that-with the pad shaped as shown, a full run of sizes may be readily accommodated. Should unusual conditions require, the pad itself may be adjusted in a lengthwise direction by means of the screws 445.

Each of the shank-pressing webs 432, which are preferably formed of a rectangular sheet of rubber or like material, is secured adjacent one of its ends at opposite sides of the shoe, to arms 5l2, 5 by means of clamp plates 5l6, 5l8 and screws 520, see Figs. 2, 5 and 6. The arm 5l2 is attached to a rod 522 by means of a nut 524 and the arm 5l4 is pivoted to the arm 5|2 on a stud 526 (Fig. 2). An adjustable brace in the form of a turnbuckle 528 (Fig, 2) separates the arms to hold the web 432 taut. At its forward end this web is supported on a soft leather cover 495 which is held in place by springs 538 and a metal strip 532 secured to the guide 411. The rod 522 is adjustably secured, by means of a set screw 54l, in the end of an arm 548 which is pivoted on a stud 542 mounted in abracket 544 on the slide 484, see Figs. 1 and 5. This bracket extends upwardly at 546 where it is provided with a bearing portion for a shaft 548, Figs. 1, 2 and 5. The slide 484 also has another bearing portion 558 through which this shaft extends. Secured to the opposite ends of the shaft 548 are two arms 552, 554, the former having a lu 558 positioned between two stops 558 and 588 'on the extension 546 of the bracket 544. A torsion spring 56l (Fig, 2) tends to turn the shaft 548 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, and thus holds the lug 556 against the stop 558.

Connected to the arms 554, there being one at each of the two stations, are downwardly extending push rods 562 which pass through sealing blocks 564 into the interior of the base of the machine. At its lower end each rod is connected by means of a lost-motion connection, indicated generally at 566, Figs. 1 and 2, to one end of a walking beam 568. This lost-motion connection is constructed as follows: The rod 562 passes freely through a cylindrical block 518 and is hollow so as to telescope over a rod 512 which extends upwardly from a block 514 that is journaled on a pin 516 mounted in one end of a walking beam. Straps 518, 588 connect the block 514 with the cylindrical block 518, and a, collar 533 is secured to the lower end of the rod 562 for engagement with the :block 514 to limit shortening movement of the lost-motion connection. The arrangement is such that when the slide 484 is in its lower position the lost motion of the connection is all, or nearly all, taken up and, accordingly, when the walking beam 568 is rocked in a clockwise direction, Fig, 1, the push rod moves up and turns the shaft 548, thus straightening a toggle formed by the arm 552 and a link 582, see the left-hand station of Fig. 1. This swings the arm 540 in a clockwise direction and thus forces the web 532 firmly down against the shank part of the sole of a, shoe. By loosening the set screw 54! the rod 522 may be moved up or down to vary the degree of pressure applied by the web 432. Each of the rods 562 is threaded to a connecting pin 555, and a locknut 55! is provided to hold these parts in adjusted position. By loosening the locknut the rod 562 is freed for rotation on the pin to regulate the effective length of the linkage.

The connectin rods 506 also pass into the interior of the frame through sealing blocks 584 where they are connected to the oppoiste ends of a second walking beam 586 through shoulders 589 and heavy compression springs 588, interposed between the ends of this beam and adjusting nuts 590 threaded on extensions of the rods 506. The rocking of this walking beam 586 produces the upand-down movements of the two slides 484 and, as above explained, efiects the pressing action of the pads 430 on the forepart of a shoe. Each of the sealing blocks 564 and 584 (Fig, 2) comprises a trunnion element 592 (Fig. 4), through which the rods pass, mounted on a flat plate 594 slidably mounted over slots in the machine frame. As these rods are operated the blocks are free to shift back and forth to accommodate lateral movements of the rods, while the plates always cover their respective slots to prevent entry of dirt or other extraneous material into the base of the machine.

The forepart pressing pad and shank-pressing web at each. station are operated alternately, from a main drive mechanism about to be described, and in the following manner. Referring to Fig. 1, the machine is shown with a shoe under pres sure in the left-hand station, and with the head 24 elevated and the work support out in loading position at the right-hand station. During the next succeeding operation of the machine, after a shoe has been loaded in the right-hand work support, the pressure members at the left-hand station will be elevated and the work support at that station swung outwardly while the work support at the right-hand station is moved in and pressure applied to the sole, whereupon the machine again stops. Each shoe remains under pressure while the operator is removing a shoe from, and loading a shoe into the other station.

Following now the operation of the machine at the left-hand station, as soon as a shoe S, having a combined sole and heel unit located and secured to its heel end, has been loaded, the ma c ine is started by means of a starting handle. The work support swings beneath the pressin members. during which time the forepart-supporting pads move in and become locked against the toe end of the shoe and the instep portion of the last. Now the head 24 and slide 484 de-' scend until the parts assume the positions shown in Fig. 5. Continued downward movement of the head and slide causes the pad to level itself on the forepart of the sole, weight of the head and pad resting on the shoe as the slide is lowered by taining the above results.

the rod 506. Now the striker bar 500 (Fig. 1) contacts the roller on the pawl 494 and the head becomes locked to the slide so that the pad is forced firmly against the sole by means of the spring 588. As soon as the head becomes connected to the slide the Spring of plunger 468 is compressed and the pad is locked in leveled position in the manner explained above. As the slide 484 continues to move downwardly the pressure on the forepart of the sole increases until the movement of the slide stops. In Fig. 5 this position of the parts is shown in broken lines, and it will be observed that the pad is exerting attaching pressure over the entire forepart of the sole while the shank of the sole is still bulged away from the shank of the shoe. It will also be noted that the sole unit is firmly clamped to the heel end of the shoe. Now the rod 562 is moved upwardly to effect a straightening of the toggle 552, 582. This moves the parts to the positions shown in Fig. 6 with the web 432 drawn down tightly against the shank portion of the sole, and the machine comes to a stop with the parts in this position. The soft leather cover 495 is interposed between the web 432 and the sole in the manner shown in Fig. 5. On the upper surface of this cover there are two spaced strips of felt or equivalent material, one being shown at 491, and these strips are arranged so as to build up those portions of the web which lie on the opposite marginal portions of the shank of the sole. In this way the pressure applied by the web is concentrated on these marginal portions, and bridging of the web by contacting the side of the shoe is avoided.

Referring now to the method aspect of the operation of the machine, it will be seen that the following steps are involved. First, the combined sole and heel unit, which is fitted to give the desired extra length in its shank portion, is clamped securely in located position on the heel end of the shoe S by the action of plate I80 and clamping member I50. The forepart of the sole is now located on the shoe, by means of the band 3I0, and then is clamped firmly in place by the attaching pressure of the pad 430. In locating the forepart of the sole on the shoe its shank is bulged out, in the manner shown in Fig. 5. This bulged portion is first compressed in a lengthwise direction by the initial action of the web 432 and finally moved in against the shank of the shoe to the position shown in Fig. 6. As explained above in the introductory part of this specification, when the pressure is relieved the shank portion will be entirely free from tension and may, if suificient extra length is provided in the shank, have a certain amount of residual compression which tends to cause the shank to hug in against the shoe bottom. The clamping, of the forepart of the sole prior to the exertion of pressure on the shank portion, and the holding of the heel end of the sole um't against lengthwise shifting is quite essential since it assures the compression of the shank necessary for ob- The above-described pressure-applying mechanism, and the sequence of operation of the pad 430 and web 432 are particularly adapted and especially designed for carrying out the pressure-applying steps of this improved process, while the work support provides a means for appropriately supporting a shoe and for clamping the heel end of a combined soleand-heel unit to the shoe prior to the clamping of the forepart of the sole and the subsequent pressing-in of the bulged shank portion.

Main drive and clutch-operating mechanism The walking beam 568 is supported on a fixed shaft 664, mounted in the machine frame, and is operated by means of a pair of conjugate cams 666, 662 on the surfaces of which cam rollers 666, 668, journaled in the opposite ends of the walking beam, ride, see Figs. 1 and 2. The walking beam 586 is likewise supported on the shaft 664, and is operated in a similar manner by means of a pair of conjugate cams 616, 6112 on the surfaces of which ride cam rollers 6 I 4, 616, journaled on the opposite ends of this walking beam. These cams are all secured to a main drive shaft 618 which is journaled in suitable bearings in the machine frame and extends from front to rear thereof, Fig. 2. Also secured to this main drive shaft is the cam 42, which, as heretofore explained, effects movement of the two shoe-supporting structures to and from their operating positions, and a stop cam 626 the function of which will be hereinafter described. Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 16, this main drive shaft is driven from a clutch shaft 622 by means of a worm 624, on the clutch shaft, and a worm wheel 626 secured to one end of the main drive shaft which extends rearwardly into a projecting portion of the frame of the machine. The clutch shaft is journaled in thrust bearings 628, 636, one arranged on each side of the worm 624, and at its opposite end in a ball bearing 632, see Fig. 10, having its outer race 634 slidably supported in a cylindrical opening 636 formed in a bearing bracket portion 636 of the machine frame. The inner race 646 of this ball bearing is secured to the reduced end of a pulley-supporting sleeve 642 between a thrust washer 644 and a nut 646. R- tatable on the sleeve 642 is a pulley 648, and slidably mounted on the clutch shaft 622 is a hub 656 provided with an annular groove 652. From this hub there extends a radial flange 654 to which is secured a friction element 656 having a conical clutching surface 656 and a braking surface 666.

The hub 656 is connected to the shaft 622 by means of a coupling 662 and driving pins 664. This coupling is pinned to the shaft 622 by means of a pin 666 and forms an abutment for a compression spring 668 which tends to move the hub 656 to the right, Fig. 10, and to hold the clutching face 658 of the friction element 656 in enqfizgement with a mating face 616 on the pulley 8. riding in the groove 652 is provided for shifting the hub to the left for disengaging the surfaces 656 and' 616, to disconnect the drive from the pulley 648 to the shaft 622 and, at the same time, for bringing the shaft 622 to a stop by pressing the braking surface 666 against a flat surface formed on a member 616 secured to the machine frame. Adjustment of the action of the combined clutch and brake mechanism just described is obtained by shifting the pulley 648 axially with respect to the element 656 in the following manner. The pulley-supporting sleeve 642 is slidable on the shaft 622 and the bearing 6-32 is slidable in the bracket 638. This sleeve is threaded onto a thimble 618 having a hexagonal head 686. The outer face of this head bears against the head 681 of a stud threaded into the end of the shaft 622 while the inner end of the sleeve bears against the end of the shaft so that rotation of the thimble shifts the sleeve, together with its hearing 632 and pulley 648, axially with respect to the bracket 638 and the hub 656. A lock nut An operating yoke 612 having rollers 614 684 is provided for holding the parts in adjusted positions, while a removable cap 682 covers the thimble, lock nut, and bearing 632.

The pulley 648 is driven from a motor 684 by means of a V-belt 686, see Fig. 2, the motor being supported on a base 688 mounted on the machine frame for adjustment in a vertical direction to regulate the tension of the belt. During use, the motor, which is controlled by a switch, not shown, conveniently located on the front of the machine frame, runs continuously, and rotation of the main shaft 618 through a half turn is selectively initiated by theoperator through the action of an operating handle 696 and mechanism about to be described. At the completion of a half turn of the main shaft, which effects a complete cycle of operation of the mechanisms associated with one of the two stations, the shaft 618 is stopped with one station in loaded position and the other in pressure-applying position. as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the yoke 612 is fixed to a shaft 692 which extends forwardly into the machine frame where it is provided with a downwardly extending arm 694 having a bifurcated end 695 through which a hook 696 passes. This hook has a downwardly extending point 698 and offset surfaces 160, 162 which form a shoulder 164. When the hook is in the position shown in Fig. 1, this shoulder engages a pin 166 on the arm 694 and holds the clutch yoke 612 to the left, as shown in Fig. 10, thus disengaging the clutch and applying the brake to bring the main shaft 618 to a stop. The hook is moved to this position by the action of one of two rises 116, spaced 180 apart on the periphery of the stop cam 626. Extending from the hook is a rod 112 having a head 114 which slides in a cylinder 116, the rod passing through an adjusting sleeve 118 threaded into the open end of this cylinder. The cylinder is connected to a lever 126, pivoted at its lower end on the machine frame, and a compression spring 115 is interposed between the head 114 and the adjusting sleeve. At its upper end this lever has a cam roller 122, and when this roller rides up on one of the rises 116, as shown in Fig. 1, the lever is swung to the left against the action of a spring 124, connected to the lever at 126, and also to one end of a horizontally disposed lever 128 which is also pivoted to the frame. At the opposite or right-hand end of the lever 128 there is a finger 136, mounted for limited swinging movement and held in the position shown by means of a spring 132. This finger comes under the point 698 of the hook and when it is elevated raises the hook so as to release the pin 166 from engagement with the shoulder 164, thus permitting the spring 668, Fig. 10, to release the brake and engage the clutch. As the main shaft turns, the roller 122 soon rides down off of the rise 116 whereupon the spring 124 swings the lever 126 to the right far enough for the pin 166 to ride along the surface 166 and up over the shoulder 164 onto the surface 162. When, at the completion of a half turn of the main shaft, the next rise 116 reaches the roller 122, the hook is again shifted to the left to disengage the clutch and set the brake in the manner above explained. Should the lever 128 happen to be still held elevated at this time, the finger 136 will swing back sufficiently to let the hook be returned to the position shown in Fig. 1 and will be swung back to position beneath the point 698 of the hook by the action of the spring 132 when the lever is again lowered. The spring is stronger than the clutch spring 668 and. its tension may be adjusted by turning the sleeve H8 to regulate the pressure with which the braking surface 666 is forced against the fixed member 616.

The lever I28 is elevated to initiate rotation of the main shaft, by means of the operating handle 690, Figs. 1 and 2. This handle is secured to a cross shaft I40, journaled on the front of the machine frame, and is provided with three arms I42, I44 and I46. A rod I48 connects the arm I46 to one of the arms of a bell-crank lever I50, Fig. 2, and the other arm of this bell-crank lever is connected to the lever I28 by means of a rod I52. A torsion spring I29, Fig. 2, holds the lever I28 and the handle 690 in the position shown. When the operating handle is swung outwardly, Fig. 1, or to the left, Fig. 2, the lever I28 will be raised and a half turn of the main drive shaft initiated as above explained. The machine should not, however, be started unless both of the push rods I82 are in their retracted positions and the arms I42 and I44 are provided with pins I54, Figs, 2 and 3, which are arranged to enter holes I58 in these push rods only when they are so retracted. Thus the operating handle cannot be moved when either of these rods are projected into a position where it would interfere with one of the rods I56 as one or the other of the shoe-supporting devices is being returned to its loading position during a half turn of the main shaft 6 I 8.

Modifications In lieu of the flexible band type, of forepart shoe and sole-locating means above described, this machine may be provided with shoe and sole gages, and an arrangement of this kind is illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17. These figures also show a modified form of heel-end clamping means which may be used to facilitate the loading operation under conditions where it is desirable to utilize a last-engaging pin instead of the resilient heel-clamping pad I50. In these two figures, which correspond in general to Figs. 4 and 5, the parts which have been previously described are indicated by their proper reference characters, and in Fig. 16 many of these are shown in outline only for the purpose of simplifying these views.

Referring first to the modified forepart shoe and sOle locating means, there are fixed to the shaft 360 two upright supports I62, I64, and pivoted to the upper ends of these supports are two arms 166, and I68. These arms are bent toward each other at their inner ends, Fig. 16, and carry shoe and sole gages about to be described. At the opposite ends of these arms are downwardly extending straps I10, I12 the lower ends of which are slotted at 114 and I16 to embrace the ends of the crossbar 310. Mounted on the shaft 360 and also on the crossbar 310 are two plates I80, I82 each of which have upward extensions shaped to form cam surfaces I84, 786. Each of these straps has mounted thereon a cam roller, indicated at I88 and I90, and these rollers are arranged to ride up on the aforementioned cam surfaces, against the action of tension springs I92, I94, when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1'7, and the gages moved in to position the sole and forepart of a shoe designated by the reference character S. When the gages are retracted, by lifting the handle 366, these rollers ride off of the cam surfaces and the springs I92, I94 pull the straps down to the limit of slots I14, I16. With this arrangement, the inner ends of the arms I66, I68 may be moved outwardly and downwardly, from the operative position shown to an inoperative position where they are out of the way of an operator loading at that par-- ticular station and then moved inwardly and upwardly, back to their operative position, by means of the handle 366 without interference with other parts of the shoe-supporting structure. Stops I96 and I98 limit movement of the handle 366 when withdrawing the gages.

The shoe and sole gage members carried by the arms I66, I68 are indicated generally by reference numerals 808 and 882 and are identical. Each of these members comprises an angular bar 884 having upturned ends 806 which provide shoe-engaging surfaces. Adjustably mounted ad jacent to each of these upturned ends by means of screws 889 are sole gage members 808. Formed integrally with each of the bars is a stud BIII which is rotatably mounted in a sleeve 8I2, Fig. 17. Each of these sleeves is adjustably mounted in the end of one of the aforementioned arms I66, I68 by means of a clamp screw 8I4. A spring 8I6 interposed between the end of the sleeve 8I2 and a nut 8I8 on the stud 8m holds each bar down against a flange 820 on its respective sleeve with sufficient force to keep the gage members properly positioned while at the same time permitting whatever swinging movement thereof as may be required when the gages are brought into contact with a shoe. As will be observed from inspection of Fig. 16, this type of forepart-locating means has a somewhat more positive action in positioning the forepart of the shoe in a widthwise direction than does the flexible band arrangement described above since the arms 116 and I18 are fixed against movement in a horizontal plane. Also, the provision of separately adjustable sole-engaging members 888 make it possible to accommodate work in which the contour of the sole unit to be attached does not conform in size and shape with the projected area of the forepart of the shoe. Accordingly, while the function of this modified forepart shoe and sole locating means, in so far as locating the sole with respect to the toe end of the shoe is concerned, is essentially the same as that of the band type first described, one arrangement may under some conditions be preferred over the other.

In the modified heel-clamping means shown in Figs. 16 and 17, the plate I52 is provided with a conical-ended last pin 824 and a last-supporting abutment 826. A flexible guiding finger 828 is also mounted on the plate and serves to position the shoe in a widthwise direction so that the pin 824 will enter the hole in the last. In order to position the last pin and plate I 52 in a lengthwise direction, a U-shaped bail 838, provided with a roller 832, is pivotally mounted on the plate. This bail consists of two pairs of arms 834, 836, the former being supported on pivot studs 838 on the plate I52 and having two ears 848, 842. The ears 842 limit swinging movement of the bail, occasioned by coil springs 844 connected between the ears 840 and pins 846, by engagement with lugs I58 on the plate I52. The roller 832 is arranged to engage the sloping front face of the cone of a last and to shift the plate forwardly of the shoe so as to bring the last pin into approximate alinement with the hole in the last. The spring 844 will be somewhat stronger than the spring I68, which is employed to hold the plate I52 in its rearmost position, for the pur- 

